A multicentre survey of asthma-related quality-of-life and treatment in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a common chronic noncommunicable disease which can impair the health-related quality-of-life (‎HRQOL)‎ of patients. Aims: To investigate treatment-related experiences and HRQOL of asthma patients in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted from 21 July to 17 December 2020 in 3 teaching hospitals in Egypt among a convenience sample of asthma patients. We used socioeconomic and clinical variables, perceived threat level of COVID-19, experiences before and during COVID-19, the Asthma Control Questionnaire (‎ACQ)‎, and the mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (‎mini-AQLQ)‎ to collect data. Results: Among the 200 respondents (‎66.0% male; mean age 40.2 years)‎, 80.0% had uncontrolled asthma. The greatest impairment to HRQOL was due to limitation of activity. Females reported a higher level of perceived threat from COVID-19 (‎Chi squared = –2.33, P = 0.02)‎. Before the pandemic, more patients visited the clinician when they had symptoms but did so more regularly during the pandemic. Over 75% could not differentiate between asthma and COVID-19 symptoms. Perceived uncontrolled asthma and poor compliance with treatment were significantly associated with impairment of HRQOL (‎P < 0.05)‎ before COVID-19. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic improved some asthma-related health behaviours, but limitations in HRQOL were still evident. Uncontrolled asthma is a key factor for HRQOL and should remain a focus for all patients.